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With the rapid development of machine vision technology, line scan cameras are gradually becoming a key tool in many industries. In recent years, more and more enterprises have adopted line scan cameras in production processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This article will delve into the principles, applications, and advantages of line scan cameras.
Line scan cameras, as the name suggests, have sensor structures that are linear, unlike traditional area scan cameras. Area scan cameras typically capture multiple rows of images at once. For example, an4096×3000pixel area scan camera can generate a12Mimage. However, line scan cameras capture only one row of an image with each exposure. Through continuous acquisition by software, if the object remains stationary, the final presented image is an accumulation of single-row data. Therefore, to obtain a complete image, the object must move uniformly along the direction of the camera.
Although line scan cameras basically need only single-row data, many manufacturers still offer2-row, 4-row, 8-row, and other multi-row line scan cameras. This involves the multi-row imaging technology of line scan cameras. To understand multi-row technology, we must first understand the external trigger mode of line scan cameras.
Line scan cameras' external trigger mode is divided into frame trigger mode and line trigger mode. The frame trigger mode is used to determine the starting point of image acquisition and is often triggered by a photoelectric gate or servo motor signal. The line trigger mode determines the starting point of each row of image acquisition, typically generated by an encoder signal. In practical applications, the frame trigger signal is commonly used to initiate image acquisition, while the line trigger signal ensures the camera acquires data row by row based on the encoder's position, thus ensuring the stability of the image shape and avoiding image distortion due to inconsistent speeds.
One of the main advantages of using line scan cameras is cost efficiency. For instance, with a precision of0.01mm, if a500Wpixel area scan camera (2500×2000) is used, at least56cameras would be needed to complete the inspection. However, using a16Kpixel line scan camera, only one camera would be necessary to do the same work. This significantly reduces the investment in equipment and subsequent maintenance costs.
In terms of efficiency, line scan cameras also perform admirably. When using multiple area scan cameras for inspection, not only the installation position of each camera needs to be considered, but also the configuration of identical light sources and calibration for each camera, and the data from all cameras must be compiled and processed. In contrast, line scan cameras require only one camera and one light source, significantly reducing the complexity of calibration and data processing.
Line scan cameras demonstrate their unique advantages in many industries, particularly in the inspection of large formats, high precision, and cylindrical objects. Major application industries include printed materials, large glass, grain color sorting, LCD panel inspection, PCB inspection, steel inspection, tobacco industry, and textile industry. Products in these industries share common characteristics of wide formats, high speeds, and high continuity, and the application of line scan cameras greatly enhances production efficiency and product quality.
Line scan cameras, with their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, are playing an increasingly important role in multiple industries. By continuously improving their technological level, line scan cameras are not only meeting current market demands but will also drive the development of more innovative applications in the future. If you are looking to improve production efficiency and product quality, line scan cameras are undoubtedly an ideal choice worth considering.
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